Ocean Breezes, Music Appeal Of Casual Cafe

June 21, 1996|By JOAN BRAZER DURANTE Special to the Sun-Sentinel

When the music starts at the Seaside Cafe, the parking lot fills quickly. Usually, an attendant is on hand watching over the double-parked cars, making sure that all can enter and exit without mishap. Undeniably, finding a space for an automobile at this time of day is the most tedious part of a cafe encounter.

Although the outdoor performance arena is tiny, there are enough lounges and chairs around the pool to accommodate at least 40 people (generally ages 25 to 55) eagerly awaiting a duo such as CC & Kola, the one I heard, to perform the Route 66 Theme along with a smattering of Steely Dan covers. By going an extra mile and spending $20, two couples can share a cabana and make their day by adding sunbathing and swimming in the ocean and/or pool to their agenda.

Seaside Cafe is as casual as it gets. Bathing suits are typical apparel, shorts and T-shirts run a close second, and jeans are at the bottom of the clothing totem pole. Those not seated around the pool take refuge at the covered bar, where frozen drinks cost $4.50 and service is readily available. In this rather eclectic setting, birds sometimes help clear food left on patio tables by diving down and carrying tidbits away, so serious diners are advised to eat in the small enclosed restaurant near the performers' platform. However, service here can be slow, and this isn't the best place to enjoy the music or the environment.

Nightlife news

Besides displaying the work of local artists, Food Amongst the Arts, 171 Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton, showcases jazz musicians. Appearing 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays at the Royal Palm Plaza dining spot is Swedish guitarist Per Lofgren.

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Boca Motion, at the Holiday Inn, 1950 Glades Road, Boca Raton, is closed for renovations, but the high-energy dance club reopens as Club Asia at 9 p.m. June 28. Boca Motion owner Larry Gambino isn't leaving, but he has named Brian Saraceno as co-partner. Operating 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sundays, Club Asia has theme nights with '80s music on Tuesdays, progressive/alternative selections on Thursdays and high-energy contemporary tunes on Fridays. Women get in free and drink free until midnight Saturdays, and there's a Big Band Salute every Sunday. Live bands appear only on Sundays, but Saraceno said he plans to bring national touring acts into the club.

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From 6 to 8 p.m. July 26, "Wine and All That Jazz" kicks off a monthlong celebration of Boca Festival Days. "Last year, `Wine and All That Jazz' was wildly successful," says Leon Rubin, chairman of Boca Festival Days. "In fact, the event may have drawn too many people. This year tickets sales will be limited, and tickets will not be sold at the door. If you'd like to attend `Wine and All That Jazz,' get your tickets now."

Admission is $25 for the gala, which will be held at the Boca Raton Resort and Club and features Ed Calle, the tenor saxophone player who has recorded with Gloria Estefan, Jimmy Buffett, the Pet Shop Boys, Greg Allman, Julio Iglesias and Frank Sinatra. Tickets are available at Carmody Liquor and Fine Wines, 6060 SW 18th St., Boca Raton, or the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, 1800 N. Dixie Highway.